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More Sri Lankans opt to go home

Another 30 Sri Lankans have opted to return home rather than spend time on Nauru, with authorities claiming a win against people smugglers.

They have joined four of their countrymen who made the return trip home last week instead of heading to the Pacific island for the processing of their claims.

"They chose not to pursue their asylum claims and no longer seek to engage Australian protection obligations," said a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

"This is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers."

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Nine Sri Lankan men left Nauru early on Sunday morning, travelling on a charter flight from Perth with 21 of their countrymen who were detained in Western Australia.

"These men departed voluntarily," the spokesman said.

He said more transfers to Nauru would take place in the coming weeks, prompting more people to choose to return home.

A total of 883 Sri Lankans have returned home both voluntarily and involuntarily since August 13, when the government announced that asylum seekers would be liable for transfer to regional processing facilities.

The first group to be sent for offshore processing were transferred from Christmas Island to Nauru on September 14.

The department spokesman said people who elected to depart voluntarily could be provided with support to assist with their return.

Meanwhile, a boat carrying 37 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted in Australian waters after experiencing engine trouble.

The crew of the vessel contacted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Rescue Coordination Centre on Saturday afternoon for assistance after losing power in the vicinity of Ashmore Islands but was then able to continue without help.

The boat was later intercepted by HMAS Larrakia.

The 37 passengers and three crew will be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks.